Court hands out a three-year jail term to Bingham man for supplying drugs

A THREE-year jail sentence has been handed down to a Bingham man involved in a drugs operation.

Arshed Rafiq, of Grove Road, was convicted at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday after a jury found him guilty of being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

The 31-year-old’s fingerprints were found on packages of cannabis discovered following the arrest of another man, Sajid Salam, in Aspley in May 2010. A total of 14kg of cannabis, with a street value of more than £140,000, was seized from Salam’s car and home.

Rafiq, who had a previous conviction after drugs had been found at his home address four years ago, was arrested in October 2010 and charged in March 2011.

He was sentenced to two-and-half years for the cannabis supply charge and a further six months for breaching licence conditions from that previous conviction.

Rafiq’s conviction is the result of an investigation by officers involved in drugs investigation Operation Vanguard.

DC Marvyn Johnson said: “The conviction and jailing of Arshed Rafiq is testament to the diligence of our officers and the value of forensic evidence.

“For all his protestations of innocence, Rafiq was undoubtedly involved in the distribution of imported cannabis in Nottinghamshire.”